Canning In The Fall
By Melissa Wynn
As fall comes to close it is time to decide what to do with the last of the harvest. It is easy to enjoy a taste of summer throughout the winter with a little inventive preservation. Canning, freezing and dehydrating are all sure fire ways to savor the flavors during the colder winter season.
Canning is a great way to make sure many late fruits don’t go to waste. Berries make wonderful jam to bring the sweetness of harvest time to your winter breakfast. Applesauce and apple butter require several apples to make so are a favorite for using up all those apples that would otherwise end up on the ground. During Halloween stock up on small sugar pumpkins and can your own for fresh and delicious holiday pies. Decorative jars and a ribbon make all of these an outstanding gift idea and recipes for all can be found on our website, www.MountainValleyLiving.com.
Green beans, broccoli, peaches and sweet peas along with many other of our favorite vegetables are all easily preserved for the winter with a quick wash and stored in an air tight container in the freezer. Create your favorite vegetable mixes ahead of time for an easy pasta sauce or stew.
As hunting season winds down it’s time to break out the dehydrator and the smoker. Jerky made from your wild game makes a great addition to your lunch box for a quick dose of protein when those 3:00 hunger pangs strike in the afternoon. Smoked salmon and trout are a must for holiday appetizers so why not make your own with your end of season catch. Freezing after smoking your fish can keep it fresh for several months.
Winter doesn’t have have to mean sub standard fruits and vegetables. Get ready this fall and enjoy the flavors of the harvest all year round.
